Pliable tape structure

ABSTRACT

A flexible longitudinally continuous tape construction is disclosed for use in joining mating edges of juxtaposed members, the tape having an X-like configuration transversely of its length to provide legs adapted to receive and be secured to the edges of the members to be joined. The tape is capable of serving as a pliable hinge to permit articulation of the joined members, or it may also serve simply as a binding for joining members intended to be fixed relative to each other. The tape construction combines longitudinally continuous marginal web portions or carriers, forming the extremities of the legs of the X, with longitudinally spaced strand or equivalent connector means running crosswise of and interconnecting pairs of marginal web portions. The connector means intersect and interlock forming the axis of the X-like configuration.

United States Patent [191 Wakeman Aug. 14, 1973 PLIABLE TAPE STRUCTUREEmmi"er-Bemard A. Gelak Assistant Examiner-Doris L. Troutman 76 lInventor gg gz Rd Attorney-Merrill F. Steward and Donald T. Steward [21]Appl- 159,796 A flexible longitudinally continuous tape constructionRelated s A n fi Dam is disclosed for use in joining mating edges ofjuxta- 6 posed members, the tape having an X-like configura- 3] fggg mpan of Ser Sept tion transversely of its length to provide legs adaptedto receive and be secured to the edges of the members to 52 US. Cl.16/150 281/375 be Jbined- The tape is capable Serving as a pliable s 1Int. Cl. izosa 7/00 hinge Perm aniwlatim Fined members [58] Field ofSearch 16/150; 220/32, 30; may serve Simply as a binding Wining 229/44;248/205 281/21 22 4O 41 37.5 bers intended to be fixed relative to eachother. The tape construction combines longitudinally continuous [56]References Cited marginal web portions or carriers, forming theextremities of the legs of the X, with longitudinally spaced UNITEDSTATES PATENTS strand or equivalent connector means running crosswise ofand interconnecting pairs of marginal web pot- 2,6ll,659 9/1952 Hadley16/150 tions The connector means intersect and interlock forming theaxis of the X-like configuration.

24 Claims, 34 Drawing Figures PAIENIEW 3.751.760

SHEET 1 BF 5 INVENTOR. ALFRED W. WAKEMAN ATTORN EYS PAIENIED M18 13,751,760

sum 3 or 5 PAIENIEB AUG x 41m FIG. I9A

PATENIEU v 3. 751.760

SKH 5 BF 5 FIG. 24

PLIABLE TAPE STRUCTURE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part of my prior copcnding applicationSer. No. 859,619, filed Sept. 22, 1969.

1. Field of the Invention This invention pertains to continuous length,pliable tape structures useful in joining mating edges of adjacentmembers for making rigid or hinged connection between such members.

2. Prior Art Background The limiting strength of conventional hinged orjointed structures utilizing sheet or panel members to form thestructure is the ability of such members to carry localized stresses atpoints of attachment. There has accordingly existed for some time a needfor better means of joining the edges of materials having relatively lowresistance to localized loading stresses, such as that imposed by rivetsscrews, spot welding and the like. Sheet or panel materials which areparticularly involved include formed plastic sheet, foamed core/stressedskin laminates, corrugated board, chipboard, felt laminates and similarlight weight, low cost but easily rupturable stock which is commonlyused in fabricating containers or other vessels, display structures,protective table pads, folio covers, etc.

Various tape constructions for joining mating edges of such materialshave been advanced heretofore. A common arrangement is illustrated inPats. Nos.

ill

589,504, 1,200,197, 1,833,469 and 3,035,752 where the junction is formedby fabric or paper strips or tabs which are simply glued to the faces ofthe members to be joined. One particular difficulty with thesearrangements is their poor resistance to peeling of the tabs from thefaces of the joined members when forces are applied tending to move themembers bodily relative to each other. Another form is illustrated inUS. Pats. Nos. Re. 18,204, 1,998,036, 2,025,926, and 3,442,415. Thisform of joint-forming tape is characterized generally by the employmentof two, coextending tapes which are stitched together along their centerlines to form an X-like configuration in cross section. The legs of theX are then glued or otherwise secured to the margins of the members tobe joined. This represents an improvement over flat tape but thestitching, falling as it must at the axis of the hinge, weakens thestructure at its most critical location. Still another approach used forhingedly joining members is represented by the constructions shown inPats. Nos. 46,071, 570,365 and 2,219,524. The arrangements there shownare not longitudinally continuous of the joined edges, so that aplurality of separate hinges must be used; and their attachment to themembers to be joined presents problems. Molded plastic hinges of thetype illustrated in Pats. Nos. 3,202,310 and 3,301,430 are designed toprovide a continuous joint along the mating edges, but here again aproblem is encountered in providing suitable means for securing suchjoint-forming constructions to the panel members.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a pliable tapestruc-v pressure-sensitive tape is applied to a surface but which avoidsthe short-comings of prior tape arrangements discussed above. The noveltape structure is designed to take advantage of the highest tensilestrength-toweight ratio of any material form, namely that of thefilament. The invention applies this high strength property to hinges orjoint-forming tape without creating localized stress points in theresulting structure, as the tape configuration puts the entireattachment area (glue or other bonding agent) in shear only andeliminates peel forces.

As mentioned, the novel tape may serve to join both articulated andnon-articulated members and one of the principal objectives of theinvention is to provide a hinge or joint-forming tape structure whichaffords uniform distribution of attachment stress over as large an areaas practical of the members which it is desired to join, therebyavoiding localized or concentrated stresses at points of attachment,while minimizing susceptibility to peeling. In this way, advantage canbe taken of materials of low cost but stress-oriented na ture, such aspaperboard, expanded or foamed plastic, etc., for use as basicstructural members, without the need and attendant expense of specialreinforcement or auxiliary construction at the point of attachment. Theinvention makes possible better application of maximum materialproperties to achieve great strength-toweight ratios in joinedstructures.

Other objectives include greater ease of application of the tape tomembers to be joined, and provision for specialized engineeringapplications, such as that involved in rolling hinges or in hingedlyjoining members whose mating edges are curved.

Use of the novel tapes for purposes other than hinging applications isof advantage where members to be secured together are subjected toloading or other forces tending to shift one member bodily relative tothe other. The invention enables loadbearing structures such as displaystands, mock-ups of prototype equipment, cartons or containers ofvarious configurations, to be made of relatively low strength sheetstock. By joining members or sections of these devices with tape of thedesign herein disclosed, the inadequacy in peel strength of conventionalpressure-sensitive adhesive or mending tape is largely overcome.

In accordance with the teaching herein, engineering advantage is takenof inherent tensile strength in pliable fabric, strand or sheetmaterials, when used in the tape configurations disclosed, to formcontinuous length tape structures which are easily applied to themembers to be joined, and which distribute the attachment stressesuniformly over the adjacent edges of joined members, thereby reducingthe chance for failure of the materials at such locations.

Briefly, the tape structures of the invention are comprised generally oftwo essential sets of elements. One set of elements consists of pliablestrands, or equivalent connector means, disposed to run transversely ofthe joint to be formed. The other set of elements consists of pliableweb portions or carriers disposed to run longitudinally of the joint tobe formed. Each transverse strand or connector element interconnects twoof the longitudinal web portions and serve to support load stressespurely in tension, i.e. the maximum strength property of the strand. Atleast some of the cross strands alternate with the intersect other suchstrands along the axis of the tape, forming an X-like configuration incross-section of the tape. Adhesive is applied to the confronting facesof legs in two transversely oriented quadrants of the X for bonding thetape to the margins of the members to be joined, whereby the margins areclamped between adjacent legs in quadrants of the X-like tape onopposite sides of the tape axis.

Various embodiments of this basic combination and modifications thereofare illustrated in the accompanying drawings and are describedhereinafter.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a portionof a preferred form of tape structure embodying the inventron;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view in perspective showing onemethod of forming the finished tape of FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a view in cross-section on line 3-3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, showingrearrangement of the tape upon removal from the forming mandrels seen inFIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section similar to FIG. 3, showing an arrangement forfabricating a number of tapes simultaneously;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another arrangement for formingmultiple tapes;

FIGS. 7-12 are fragmentary cross-sectional views of different types ofhinged members and hinging arrangements using the tape of FIG. I;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of hinged membersemploying a modified type of tape hinge;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view of a jig structure illustrating theformation of a tape hinge of the type shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of another form of tapehinge construction;

FIG. 16 is a view similar to that of FIG. 14 illustrating a manner offorming the tape hinge of FIG. 15;

FIGS. 17 and 18 are fragmentary views of additional tape hingeconstructions;

FIGS. 19 and 19A are perspective views of tape structures similar toFIG. I but employing multiply grouped strands or strips crossing on thebias;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view ofa tape structure similar to FIG. I butincorporating pressure-sensitive adhesive and protective release strips;

FIG. 21 illustrates the manner of applying the tape of FIG. 20 to onemember which is to be joined to another;

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary perspective view of an inte grally woven tapestructure incorporating the inventlon;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view ofa woven structure from which tapesof the form shown in FIG. 22 are cut;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of another form of tape incorporating theinvention, in which the manner of forming the tape is illustrated;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the finished tape seen in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 illustrates still another form of tape embodying the invention,and a means of fabricating such tape;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the finished tape of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the tape structure of FIG.26;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of another form of tape and a method ofmaking it;

FIGS. 30 and 31 are cross-sectional views of the tape of FIG. 29 inpartially completed and fully completed condition;

FIG. 32 is a broken view in perspective elevation of a foamedcore/stressed skin panel member having a curved edge with a tape securedalong such edge; and

FIG. 33 is a similar view showing a pair of curvededge members of FIG.32 joined by the tape.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Tape structure 20 illustratedin FIG. 1 is composed of alternating runs of intersecting flexiblestrands 22 producing an X-configuration, and carrier strips 24 runninglengthwise of the tape axis in transversely opposite quadrants of the X.Each of carrier strips 24 is folded lengthwise at 25 and extendscontinuously between adjacent legs in each of two opposite quadrants ofthe X. Each of strands 22 is secured at its opposite or cross-axis endsto margins of opposite carrier strips 24 by suitable adhesive.Collectively the strands in each opposite pair of legs of the X form amat in conjunction with the associated carrier strips. In order to allowfree intersection and lateral cross-over of the strands at the tapeaxis, the carrier strips are positioned to dispose their fold lines 25slightly outwardly of the tape axis.

As will be more fully described presently, tape 20 is adapted to beapplied along the mating edges of two members to be joined. To this endthe edges of the members are received between adjacent tape legs intransversely opposite quadrants of the X-configuration, and adhesive isapplied to the confronting faces of such legs to bond them to themargins or edges of the members. It is apparent that the members to bejoined may be received in either of the two different sets of opposedquadrants of the tape. Where the members are received in the quadrantsin which the carrier strips 24 are located, the carrier strips serve asbarriers to prevent glue or other adhesive working into the axis of thetape. That is important where the tape is used as a hinged connectionbetween members, since glue in the axis will impair the freedom of thehinging action of .the connecting strands 22. Also the carrier stripsserve in such case to prevent wear of the strands on a rough or sharpedge of the hinged member. In cases where the tape is employed simplyfor joining non-articulated members, these considerations are not soimportant; in fact it may even be of advantage to use the alternate setof quadrants so that direct glued contact of the strands 22 to themembers being joined is obtained.

In the preferred construction shown in FIG. 1, hinge 20 is intended tobe quite flexible so that it may be easily applied in a manner similarto that in which ordinary pressure-sensitive tape is applied to asurface. For that reason both the carrier strip 24 and the transversestrands 22 are of pliable material. Typically useful materials for thecarrier strips include paper, more especially craft or crepe paper,woven textile webbing or light plastic film or tape. In fact varioustypes of presently available commercial pressure-sensitive masking tapecan conveniently be used for the carrier strip. Strands 22 may bemultifilament textile threads or cords, natural or synthetic, as wellas.monofilament strands of organic or inorganic, e.g. metallic,material.

In FIGS. 2-4 a method is illustrated for handfabrication of tape of thetype shown in FIG. I. To this end there is provided a pair of elongatedflat mandrels 34 suitably supported in edgewise spaced parallelrelation. Cord 36 is wound about the mandrels in figure-8 manner to formthe mat of strands 22 comprising the connector elements of the completedhinge. Pressuresensitive tape is then applied over the cord on oppositefaces of the mandrels to secure all of the courses or runs of the cordin fixed position relative to each other. A knife or other sharpinstrument is then used to sever the terminal bends of each convolutionof the cord where it passes around the outer edges of mandrels 34,

. cutting along plane cc as shown in FIG. 3. The preliminary tape hingeassembly may then be easily slipped off the mandrels. The legs of thetape hinge are then folded into reverse relationship from that in whichthey are formed on the mandrels, to the position shown in FIG. 4, sothat the margins of each strip 24 are placed in back-to-back relation.

Methods suitable for commercial production of the tape are shown inFIGS. 5 and 6 in which a plurality of mandrels 34 is employed and cordis woven continuously about these to buildup a wide mat of any desiredlength. In FIG. 5, the opposite faces of this mat are then covered withsheets 36 of paper, cloth, plastic film or the like, which are glued orotherwise bonded to the cord. The finished mat is then cut by suitableslitting knives (not shown) advanced against and along the oppositefaces of the mandrels, the knives being spaced on the center lines a-aof mandrels 34 to slit the composite mat lengthwise of the mandrels andform a plurality of separate ribbons or tapes. These are removed fromthe mandrels, as in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 illustrates a similar method ofmanufacture but in this case each mandrel 34 is first faced or woundwith the material which will serve as the carrier strips, and then thecord is woven about the mandrels in figure-8 manner as be fore.Alternatively, the tape can be woven without the mandrels, using thecarrier strips as the warp elements for the cross strands.

The tape hinge can be applied to the edges of the members to be joinedusing either set of diametrically opposed hinge quadrants for receivingand securing the members. Also various types of hinge arrangements canbe accommodated. This is illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 12 of thedrawings. In each of these illustrations the members to be joined arereceived in the tape quadrants which do not contain carrier strips 24.For some applications, this has an advantage, as can be seen byreference to FIG. 7. Any tendency of strands 22 to peel away from thesurface of the hinged member A or B to which they are bonded is resistedby the interpositioning of the carrier strips 24. That is, strands 22must cut through the interposed carrier strip if forces are applied tomembers A and B tending to separate them bodily.

In FIG. 8, hinge connects a relatively thick member C to a flat surfaceD to permit swinging of member C through an arc of 90. In FIG. 9, memberE is hinged to the flat surface D forswinging movement through an arc of180 In this illustration, member E is relatively thin and the legs ofhinge 20 are secured to it along opposite margins of, the faces ratherthan along one edge and the adjacent face as is necessary with a thickmember.

FIGS. 10 and 11 also illustrate rolling hinges, the one in FIG. 10providing for I arcuate movement between the hinged members F and G,while FIG. 11 illustrates a hinge permitting 360 arc of movement formember 1 relative to member H. For this application, a centrally moreopen type of hinge is necessary. This can be readily provided simply byincreasing the distance between the mandrels 34 in forming the hinge.

Further strengthening of the attachment of the hinge to the hingedmembers can be provided, as shown in FIG. 12, by applying and bondingoverlying tapes 46 on one or both pairs of hinge legs.

For maximum strength in preventing separation of the hinged members attheir limiting position of arcuate movement, a hinge structure such asthat shown in FIG. 13 is useful. In this example, hinge 50 is generallysimilar to previously described hinge 20 except that some of thestrands, while extending transversely of the hinge axis, do not crosslaterally from one side to another in a given run of such strand; thatis, such strands start and end on the same lateral side of the axis inthat run. This is illustrated more particularly in FIG. 14 showing amethod of constructing hinge 50 of FIG. 13. As before, a jig is usedproviding spaced mandrels 34, and a length of cord 36 is wrapped aboutthe mandrels to form the strand runs. For clarity of illustration, theruns are shown in spread condition in the drawing but they wouldnormally be closely spaced in actual practice. In this example, cord 36is wound about the mandrels in alternate courses or runs, first with afigure-8 configuration in which strands 52 laterally cross the hingeaxis intermediate the mandrels. In the next course the strands 54 arewound so as to pass completely around the outside of both mandrelswithout crossing between the mandrels. In other words, while strands 52in transversely crossing the axis of the hinge move laterally from oneside to the other of the mandrels, alternate strands 54 remain on thesame lateral side of the mandrels.

In the resulting hinge construction illustrated in FIG. 13, (afterapplying carrier strips 24, cutting the terminal bends of the strands torelease the hinge from the jig and applying the hinge to members A andB), each strand 54 extends directly across the hinge axis from onemember to the other in the limiting position of the hinged members asshown. Such strands are thus in straight tension, providing maximumresistance to sep-- aration of the hinged members and to any tendencytoward. peeling of the intermediate strands 52 from margins of thehinged members. In the alternate limiting position of members A and B,strands 52 extend straight across the hinge'axis and provide theresistance to separation.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate a further modification of the precedingexample. In this example hinge 60 incorporporates an interlocking oroverlapping of the strands at the hinge axis. This is accomplished bywinding cord 36 about mandrels 34 with a twist at each run, fonning aseries of interlocking clove hitches as shown in FIG. 16. It will benoted from the drawing however that although each strand 62 or 64 in anygiven run from one mandrel 34 to the other is positioned on the samelateral side of both mandrels, the strand is laterally displacedintermediate the mandrels by intersection with and overlapping of thestrand of the correspondingly opposite run on the other side of themandrels. The hinge 60 which results thus puts one strand in straighttension, e.g. strand 64 in FIG. 15, in the hinged structure.

Another method of forming tape hinges of the invention is illustrated inFIGS. 17 and 18 wherein the cord used in forming the transverse strandsis not cut or severed as in the previous examples. In both of theseillustrations the carrier strips consist of pressure-sensitive tapes 72,74 and the hinged structure is formed using two pairs of the tape stripsin back-to-back relation, one pair on either side transversely of thehinge axis and each pair having the inner edgesspaced from the other adistance sufficient to permit passage of the strands between the pairedstrips in passing from one lateral face to the other.

In forming this type of hinge structure, two separate lengths of cord 36are required. In FIG. 17, the two lengths are interwoven or interlockedintermediate the loop portions 76, 78 which are adhered to the faces ofthe strips. In FIG. 18 the arrangement is essentially the same but doesnot embody interlocking of the two strands within each loop.

Multiple cords are used in forming tape 80 also, as seen in FIG. 19'.This tape can be formed as described in connection with FIGS. 1-4,except that instead of using a single strand of cord to form the runs, agroup 82 of parallel cords is woven about the mandrels. The number ofcords in the group will determine the angle or bias of the group inrespect to the axis of the X; the greater the number of cords, thegreater the bias angle.

A similar arrangement is shown in FIG. 19A where again a plurality ofcords is wound simultaneously as above, but in this case the cords werewound about a series of mandrels, as in FIG. 5. Depending on the widthof the composite group of mandrels, each run of grouped cords 92 willcross the tape axis at little or no bias in connecting carriers 24. Inplace of the grouped cords, webbing or tape of various sorts can be usedto provide equivalent connector means.

Attachment of the finished tape product to the members to be joined isfacilitated by incorporating pressure-sensitive adhesive with the tape,as produced, so that it is self-contained ready for application aspurchased. FIG. 20 illustrates such an arrangement. The basic tapestructure is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, but in this case tape 120includes bands of pressuresensitive adhesive 102 extending lengthwise ofthe tape on confronting faces of the carrier strips 124 in oppositequadrants of the X. In the preferred construction, adhesive 102 does notextend into the center of carriers 124, but is confined to the marginsof the tape. Temporary protection in the form of peel or release strips104 are applied over the adhesive, the strips being made wider than thebands of adhesive so as to overlap at the inner edge and provide aconvenient free tab 106 by which to start the peeling off of strips 104when the tape is to be applied to members to be joined.

In attaching the tape, one release strip is first completely strippedfrom one leg and that leg is pressed along an edge of the member to bejoined. See FIG. 21. The adjacent leg of the tape is lifted to getaccess to free tab 106 of its release strip 104 which is then peeledback at 90 to the tape axis. As this strip 104 is pulled, it releasesnext to the X axis first and then diagonally outwardly across the faceof tape 120, pulling it firmly against the edge of the member to whichit is being attached. This leg of the tape is simultaneously pressedinto contact with the face of the member and the process is repeated insecuring the other two legs of the tape to the opposite member.

The arrangement not only facilitates the attachment process, providing asmooth, tight surface contact between the tape and members but aids ingetting alignment of the tape axis and the abutting edges of themembers, even if there is some initial misalignment due to improperstarting placement of the tape. By pulling the release strip in themanner discussed, the tape is made to lie straight and its natural axisis caused to conform closely with the edge of the member to which it isattached so as to produce a rigid axis in the finished structure. Inspeaking of "natural axis above, this is intended to mean not so muchthe axis defined by the crossing strands in the tape as it exists beforeapplication to the edges of the numbers to be formed, but rather to thataxis defined by the crossing strands as this is developed upon securingthe tape to the members to be joined. The two conditions are identicalin the case of a perfectly applied tape to perfectly straight, alignededges of members to be joined. But such ideal condition seldom exists inpractice, and it is one of the virtues of the novel tape that suchperfect condition need not exist, because the tape will align itself toaccommodate irregularity of the edge and/or inexact application to thoseedges, without resulting in a loose or wobbly hinged joint. This featurearises inherently from the tape construction wherein the flexibleconnector strands, in crossing between web portions to which their endsare connected, are free to shift relative to each other, within ofcourse the limits of their points of connection to the longitudinal webportions.

Still another form of tape is shown in FIG. 22. Tape 220 is woven on asuitable loom to produce an integral structure in which weft threads 222of the webbing form the cross-connectors for marginal or selvageportions produced by interweaving threads 222 with longitudinal or warpthreads 223. Separate carrier members are accordingly not required inthis arrangement. Selfsticking adhesive and protective peel strips canof course be incorporated in this form of tape, similar to that,described above. Tape 220 can be produced initially in multiple widths,as shown in FIG. 23, by a process similar to that described inconnection with FIG. 5, but without using mandrels and slit on lines bbto produce separate tapes.

Yet another form of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25where a continuous strip 302 of paper or sheet plastic is slit insinusoidal manner along its longitudinal axis to produce complementaryleft and right strips or marginal portions 304, 306 having mutuallyprojecting fingers 308. These strips are then pressed laterally togetherto cause them to intennesh, with the fingers 308 of one overlapping therespective marginal portion 304 or 306 of the other. An imperforatestrip 310 is then applied to the intermeshed and overlapped firstmembers 304, 306, and bonded by gluing or welding to the tips of thefingers of those members. Strip 310 is creased longitudinally, causingthe free edges of the members to separate and form the X-like tape 320,as seen in FIG. 25.

FIGS. 26 and 27 show another tape structure 420 incorporating theinvention. In this case two strips 402, 406 of suitable sheet stock areslit longitudinally along a central sinusoidal line to produce left andright marginal portions 401, 403 and 405, 407, all having teeth 408.Strips 402 and 406 are brought together in such -erally separated, asseen on enlarged scale in FIG. 28,

before the overlapping teeth 408 are bonded together. This provides morefreedom and reduces binding along the axis of the tape. Again, themarginal web portions may have a band of self-sticking adhesive 412, by

which to secure the tape to the edges of the members to be joined, inwhich case a release or peel strip 414 is provided to protect theadhesion areas until the tape is to be used.

In FIGS. 29 to 31, a tape 520 is formed by joining two strips 502, 504by welding or gluing along a central portion or band 506, and thencutting a series of slots 508 across band 506, spaced longitudinallyalong the tape. Next, each strip 502, 504 is slit at 510, 512,respectively, longitudinally between slots 508 at alternate ends ofadjacent slots. Slits 510, 512 are also alternated in the confrontingstrips 502, 504 along the tape so as not to coincide at any point.Separating the legs or marginal portions of strips 502, 504 results inan X-shaped tape section, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31.

Application of tape to curved edges of members is illustrated in FIGS.32 and 33. In FIG. 32 a semiflexible member 602 has a curved edge 604which is to be joined to a similar curved edge of panel member 606 (seeFIG. 33). Tape 620 of the construction shown in FIG. is used but tofacilitate obtaining a smooth fit of the tape to the curved edge, thecarrier strip members 624 of tape 620 are preferably formed of crepepaper to permit some stretching of the tape during application. When thefree edges of members 602 are separated, after curved edges 604 arejoined, a geodesic structure is obtained as seen in FIG. 33. Any slightIongitudinal accommodation necessary along curved edge 604 as thestructure is foRmed is readily permitted by the elasticity of tape 620.FIG. 33 also illustrates the use of light weight, low cost laminated,foamed or honey combed core/stressed skin panels to form geometricstructures, where the panels will not resist highly localized loadsimposed by the use of rivets or screws as fastening means. Ordinary flattape'if used in such a construction may overcome the problem oflocalized attachment stress, but is partlcularly vulnerable to peelingforces in the situation here illustrated.

What is claimed is:

l. A flexible tape for joining mating edges of adjacent members,

said tape having an X-like configuration in crosssection and providing alongitudinally continuous structure adapted to extend along and besecured to the edges of members to be joined so that the axis ofsaidX-like configuration coincides generally with the juncture formed bythe members to be joined, said'tape comprising carrier strip meanscomprising pliable, longitudinally continuous, marginal web portions atthe extremities of the legs of the X; and

flexible, spaced, connector means running crosswise of and being securedto and interconnecting pairs of web portions, at least some of saidconnector means intersecting and crossing other connector means to formsaid X-like configuration.

2. A flexible tape as defined in claim I, wherein at least some of saidconnector means join pairs of transversely opposite web portions.

3. A flexible tape as defined in claim 2, wherein said carrier stripmeans extends continuously between adjacent legs in each of two oppositequadrants of the X- like configuration.

4. A flexible tape as defined in claim 3, wherein said adhesive is ofthe pressure-sensitive type and is confined to the outer margins ofconfronting faces of said carrier strip means, said tape furtherincluding temporary protective release strips covering said adhesive butpeelable therefrom to expose said adhesive when said tape is applied tothe members to be joined.

5. A flexible tape as defined in claim 4, wherein the protective releasestrips overlap the inner margins of the adhesive to provide free tabsalong such margins.

6. A flexible tape as defined in claim 1, wherein said connector meansare biased longitudinally of the tape axis.

7. A flexible tape as defined in claim 1, wherein said connector meanscomprise alternately crossing flexible strands.

8. A flexible tape as defined in claim I, wherein said connector meanscomprise alternately crossing groups of strands.

9. A flexible, continuous tape hinge for application along adjacentedges of members to be hingedly joined, said hinge having an X-likeconfiguration in cross section and said hinge comprising carrier stripmeans of pliable sheet material running lengthwise of the hinge ontransversely opposite sides of its axis; and

flexible strands running crosswise of said axis and carrier strip means,each strand having its crossaxis ends secured to faces of opposedcarrier strip portions, at least some of said strands intersecting andcrossing over other of said strands to fon'n the hinge axis at theirintersection.

10. A tape'hinge as defined in claim 9, wherein the carrier stripportions are disposed in transversely opposed quadrants of the X-likeconfiguration.

11. A tape hinge as defined in claim 9, wherein the carrier stripportions in each quadrant are integrally joined along the hinge axis.

12. A tape hinge as defined in claim 10, which further includespressure-sensitive adhesive on the confronting faces of the legs of theX-like configuration in transversely related quadrants.

13. A tape hinge as defined in claim 12, wherein said adhesive coatingis located on confronting faces of said carrier strips.

14. A tape hinge as defined in claim 12, which further includes flexiblerelease strips covering said adhesive coating but peelable therefrom toexpose said adhesive upon application of the hinge to members to behingedly joined.

15. A tape hinge as defined in claim 9, wherein each of said flexiblestrands running crosswise of said axis and carrier strip means has itscross-axis ends secured to faces of said carrier strip means over asubstantial portion of the width thereof.

16. A tape hinge as defined in claim 15, which further includespressure-sensitive adhesive coating on at least one tape face on eachside of the hinge axis.

17. A tape hinge as defined in claim 16, wherein said pressure-sensitiveadhesive coating is disposed on confronting faces of the legs of theX-like configuration in transversely related quadrants, said tapefurther including flexible release strips covering said adhesive coatingbut peelable therefrom to expose said adhesive upon application of thehinge to members to be hingedly joined.

18. A tape hinge as defined in claim 9, wherein the carrier stripportions are disposed in diametrically opposed quadrants of the X-likeconfiguration and the strip portions in each quadrant are integrallyjoined along the hinge axis.

19. A flexible tape for joining mating edges of adjacent members,

said tape having an X-like configuration in crosssection and providing alongitudinally continuous structure adapted to extend along and besecured to the edges of members to be joined so that the axis of saidX-like configuration coincides generally with the juncture formed by themembers to be joined, said tape comprising pliable, longitudinallycontinuous, carrier strips forming the extremities of the legs of the Xin transversely opposite quadrants of the X; and

flexible, spaced, connector means running crosswise of andinterconnecting marginal portions of opposite carrier strips, saidconnector means intersecting and crossing each other alternately to formsaid X-like configuration.

20. A flexible tape as defined in claim 19, wherein said carrier stripsare formed of stretchable sheet material.

21. A flexible tape as defined in claim 20 wherein said carrier stripsare formed of crepe paper.

22. A flexible tape as defined in claim 1, wherein said carrier stripmeans are formed of stretchable sheet material.

23. A flexible tape as defined in claim 1, which further includesadhesive disposed on confronting faces of said web portions intransversely opposed quadrants of the X, for securing said faces toedges of the members to be joined.

24. A flexible tape as defined in claim 1, wherein said flexibleconnector means, in crossing between said web portions to which they areconnected to form said X- like configuration, are free to shift relativeto each other within the limits defined by their points of connection tothe respective longitudinal web portions.

1. A flexible tape for joining mating edges of adjacent members, saidtape having an X-like configuration in cross-section and providing alongitudinally continuous structure adapted to extend along and besecured to the edges of members to be joined so that the axis of saidX-like configuration coincides generally with the juncture formed by themembers to be joined, said tape comprising carrier strip meanscomprising pliable, loNgitudinally continuous, marginal web portions atthe extremities of the legs of the X; and flexible, spaced, connectormeans running crosswise of and being secured to and interconnectingpairs of web portions, at least some of said connector meansintersecting and crossing other connector means to form said X-likeconfiguration.
 2. A flexible tape as defined in claim 1, wherein atleast some of said connector means join pairs of transversely oppositeweb portions.
 3. A flexible tape as defined in claim 2, wherein saidcarrier strip means extends continuously between adjacent legs in eachof two opposite quadrants of the X-like configuration.
 4. A flexibletape as defined in claim 3, wherein said adhesive is of thepressure-sensitive type and is confined to the outer margins ofconfronting faces of said carrier strip means, said tape furtherincluding temporary protective release strips covering said adhesive butpeelable therefrom to expose said adhesive when said tape is applied tothe members to be joined.
 5. A flexible tape as defined in claim 4,wherein the protective release strips overlap the inner margins of theadhesive to provide free tabs along such margins.
 6. A flexible tape asdefined in claim 1, wherein said connector means are biasedlongitudinally of the tape axis.
 7. A flexible tape as defined in claim1, wherein said connector means comprise alternately crossing flexiblestrands.
 8. A flexible tape as defined in claim 1, wherein saidconnector means comprise alternately crossing groups of strands.
 9. Aflexible, continuous tape hinge for application along adjacent edges ofmembers to be hingedly joined, said hinge having an X-like configurationin cross section and said hinge comprising carrier strip means ofpliable sheet material running lengthwise of the hinge on transverselyopposite sides of its axis; and flexible strands running crosswise ofsaid axis and carrier strip means, each strand having its cross-axisends secured to faces of opposed carrier strip portions, at least someof said strands intersecting and crossing over other of said strands toform the hinge axis at their intersection.
 10. A tape hinge as definedin claim 9, wherein the carrier strip portions are disposed intransversely opposed quadrants of the X-like configuration.
 11. A tapehinge as defined in claim 9, wherein the carrier strip portions in eachquadrant are integrally joined along the hinge axis.
 12. A tape hinge asdefined in claim 10, which further includes pressure-sensitive adhesiveon the confronting faces of the legs of the X-like configuration intransversely related quadrants.
 13. A tape hinge as defined in claim 12,wherein said adhesive coating is located on confronting faces of saidcarrier strips.
 14. A tape hinge as defined in claim 12, which furtherincludes flexible release strips covering said adhesive coating butpeelable therefrom to expose said adhesive upon application of the hingeto members to be hingedly joined.
 15. A tape hinge as defined in claim9, wherein each of said flexible strands running crosswise of said axisand carrier strip means has its cross-axis ends secured to faces of saidcarrier strip means over a substantial portion of the width thereof. 16.A tape hinge as defined in claim 15, which further includespressure-sensitive adhesive coating on at least one tape face on eachside of the hinge axis.
 17. A tape hinge as defined in claim 16, whereinsaid pressure-sensitive adhesive coating is disposed on confrontingfaces of the legs of the X-like configuration in transversely relatedquadrants, said tape further including flexible release strips coveringsaid adhesive coating but peelable therefrom to expose said adhesiveupon application of the hinge to members to be hingedly joined.
 18. Atape hinge as defined in claim 9, wherein the carrier strip portions aredisposed in diametrically opposed quadrants of the X-like configurationand the strip portions in each qUadrant are integrally joined along thehinge axis.
 19. A flexible tape for joining mating edges of adjacentmembers, said tape having an X-like configuration in cross-section andproviding a longitudinally continuous structure adapted to extend alongand be secured to the edges of members to be joined so that the axis ofsaid X-like configuration coincides generally with the juncture formedby the members to be joined, said tape comprising pliable,longitudinally continuous, carrier strips forming the extremities of thelegs of the X in transversely opposite quadrants of the X; and flexible,spaced, connector means running crosswise of and interconnectingmarginal portions of opposite carrier strips, said connector meansintersecting and crossing each other alternately to form said X-likeconfiguration.
 20. A flexible tape as defined in claim 19, wherein saidcarrier strips are formed of stretchable sheet material.
 21. A flexibletape as defined in claim 20 wherein said carrier strips are formed ofcrepe paper.
 22. A flexible tape as defined in claim 1, wherein saidcarrier strip means are formed of stretchable sheet material.
 23. Aflexible tape as defined in claim 1, which further includes adhesivedisposed on confronting faces of said web portions in transverselyopposed quadrants of the X, for securing said faces to edges of themembers to be joined.
 24. A flexible tape as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid flexible connector means, in crossing between said web portions towhich they are connected to form said X-like configuration, are free toshift relative to each other within the limits defined by their pointsof connection to the respective longitudinal web portions.